Ahsoka Part 7 Dreams and Madness: Masterful penultimate episode

The penultimate episode of Ahsoka, Dreams and Madness is the series’ best episode to date. Part 7 adds a terrific, savvy nemesis, scrappy heroes fighting against overwhelming odds and using nostalgia to move characters forward in the present like Part Five.

Lars Mikkelsen once again delivers as Thrawn’s military genius comes to the forefront. As Ahsoka Tano enters the galaxy, Thrawn tries to take her down. Ahsoka is able to hide in the remains of the Force whales in space. Thrawn decides to allow Ahsoka to enter the planet.

His stated goal is for Baylan Skoll, Shin Hati and the raiders to take out Ezra Bridger and Sabine Wren. However, Thrawn’s stated plan goes awry, and Morgan Elsbeth questions Thrawn. He reveals his real agenda. The skirmish on the planet was a diversion to buy time while the cargo transfer finished. Once complete, the ship can jump back to a more familiar galaxy, far, far away.

Sabine and Ezra square off against Shin, raiders and a small squad of stormtroopers sent by Thrawn on the surface of Peridea. Meanwhile, Ahsoka is trying to find a way to locate Sabine while fending off starfighters and eventually Baylan. The reunion between Ahsoka, Sabine and Ezra is a terrific way to end the episode. There is a sense of hope that penetrates an ominous future that is Star Wars at its best.

Finally, Dreams and Madness continues Ahsoka‘s excellent use of nostalgia. Anakin returns in a different manner than in Part Five but gives Ahsoka some needed guidance. Dreams and Madness also features a character from the original trilogy who helps Hera Syndulla out of her jam.

Wrapping things up in a nice, masterful bow are Dave Filoni‘s best dialogue in the series and Kevin Kiner’s impeccable score. In short, the Force has never been stronger in Ahsoka than in Dreams and Madness.

With the overview out of the way, let’s dive deeper into the three standout elements of Dreams and Madness. There will be some spoilers. Ahsoka is streaming on Disney Plus.

Thrawn’s Genius clashes with Ahsoka’s Savvy in Dreams and Madness

After ceding the spotlight in Part 6, Ahsoka returns in full force with Rosario Dawson delivering her best performance. Ahsoka channels her best Han Solo impression. She chooses to avoid a bevy of starships by flying through debris. In this instance, she chooses the Purrgil graveyard. She finds a place to lay low in the debris and reaches out using the Force to Sabine. Confirming Sabine’s location, Ahsoka makes a beeline for the planet’s surface.

While Thrawn’s introduction in Part 6 was strong, Dreams and Madness is a better showcase of Thrawn’s tactical brilliance. Thrawn moves forward with two different plans. He launches a small squad of starfighters to take down Ahsoka. When the risk of losing fighters in the debris is too much, he calls the troops back. On the planet’s surface, he orders Baylan and Shin to attack Sabine and Ezra. When Ahsoka finally reaches Ezra and Sabine, Thrawn orders them to withdraw. With Ahsoka’s focus on reaching Sabine, she missed Thrawn’s true purpose in launching these attacks.

Thrawn was simply buying time for the cargo transfer to finish. With the transfer nearly complete, Thrawn and his forces can leave this galaxy and leave Ahsoka, Ezra and Sabine behind.

Timely blasts of nostalgia

Sometimes, I’m a simple man to please. Ahsoka‘s opening two scenes had me smiling from ear to ear.

Dreams and Madness opens with Senator Hamato Xiono (Nelson Lee) attempting to strip Hera of her rank. Lack of tangible proof and Hera conducting an unauthorized mission has the general in dire straights. Fortunately, a character from the original trilogy appears and rescues Hera. C-3PO appears for the first time in a live-action Star Wars series. He claims Leia Organo authorized Hera’s mission but didn’t have time to inform the senators.

Dreams and Madness follows up this blast of nostalgia by introducing the Gepetto to C-3PO’s Pinocchio. Anakin returns via hologram message where he inspires Ahsoka. Hayden Christensen turns in another strong performance. It’s nice to see the image of Anakin seems to be a source of relief for Ahsoka. With a little boost from her master, the more carefree, Ahsoka returns ready to face whatever is in front of her.

Rebels reunited

While Ahsoka tries to reach her padawan on Peridea, Sabine and Ezra are traveling with their Noti friends. Sabine still hasn’t relayed the information about how she reached Peridea. Baylan and Shin catch up to the group of nomads. Baylan suddenly announces that he and Hati are going their separate ways. He acknowledges her desire for a different source of power than what he’s searching for. Shin will be able to climb the ranks with Thrawn’s guidance.

Baylan orders Shin to lead the assault on Sabine, Ezra and the Nati. Sabine offers Ezra his old lightsaber, but Ezra opts to use the Force as his weapon. Ezra focuses most of her attention on the raiders while Sabine faces off with Shin once again. Meanwhile, Ahsoka finally reaches the surface, facing off with Baylan again. Geeta Vasant Patel does an excellent job as director, cutting between the different planes of action.

Similar to Thrawn’s stall tactics, Ahsoka has a different goal than defeating Baylan in a duel. She waits for Huyang to lay down cover fire, then uses the distraction to steal Baylan’s Howler and rides off towards Sabine. She reaches Sabine and Ezra just as they’re being surrounded by the stormtroopers Thrawn sent as reinforcements. Once Thrawn sees Ahsoka with Ezra and Sabine, he calls off the assault.

With the threat level diminished, Ahsoka and Ezra embrace. Three rebels are reunited once again while Thrawn prepares to leave them all behind. I also liked Ahsoka’s decision not to scold Sabine.

Dreams and Madness final thoughts

Great action sequences, compelling performances from the main protagonist and antagonist and really good writing by Filoni help make Dreams and Madness the best episode of Star Wars television since Andor‘s season one finale.

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